(AN: Just days prior, I only had 3k words of this chapter written out.

Then on Saturday, I spent almost 7 hours writing 9k words.

Yes, I am alive and am running on discounted Valentine's chocolate. Speaking of Valentine's, I wanted to get this chapter out before then because of stuff going on later on in the story. But oh well, what can I do!

While I talk about chapters, first, we've reached the 30s. Whoo! And second, I should probably preface this one with a brief editorial. As you might have noticed, the last few chapters have taken on, what I would refer to as, too real themes. I am going to warn right now that this chapter and the following few will likely feature these themes more often as we are in the middle of a current arc in this story. Don't worry, it will eventually end, but if there is anyone who might feel uncomfortable with the extended focus of these themes, well, here's your warning. I'll still provide content warnings when needed.

I'm hoping to finish up the next chapter, because VERY soon, a huge turning point for this story will begin. What it'll be, I can't say... but you gotta wait and see!

Also, if you're on the desktop version, you might have noticed that the preview image for this story has changed! That's because I made a brand new logo for the story on my own! I really liked how it came out and def want to use it as an identifier for the story, so it'll be here to stay! Anyway, that out of the way, let's begin!)

cw: minor transphobia


As the late morning sun shone on the Historic District, Bride of the Constant Vigil walked alongside her garrison of guards to the village of Hirunotsuka. The sound of clanking armor and marching footsteps rang throughout the pathways leading out of Gojo to the other parts of the Historic District, the sun continuing to pass through the partly cloudy sky. Throughout the expedition, the chameleon woman's mind was at an impasse. What was it about Espio that had Conquering Storm so frantic since his return to Gojo earlier in the month? He had been continuing everything he was told to do, from not interacting with the Outside World, to keeping up with his training…

"There must be something more to this…" she thought to herself as the garrison let one of the rice farmers out in the fields of Gojo pass by.

"Bride of the Constant Vigil-sama," one of the guards said. "At this current rate, we will be approaching the village of Hirunotsuka in less than an hour. Please, your orders for whether we should pick up the pace."

The chameleon leader looked over at the guard, staring him in the eye. "Let us continue at the present rate. We are in no rush to arrive at Hirunotsuka Village."

"Understood! Continue onwards!"

"CONTINUE ONWARDS!" the rest of the garrison yelled as the caravan continued their march.

As predicted, it took less than an hour for the visitors from Gojo to arrive in Hirunotsuka. A group of Lynx guards stood by the gates to the village, naginata in hand as Bride of the Constant Vigil and her entourage walked toward the lynxes. She bowed in their presence, looking at the two.

"It is I, the leader of Gojo, Bride of the Constant Vigil," she said. "I am here on behalf of Bride of the Conquering Storm's request."

"An honor to have you in our village, Bride of the Constant Vigil-sama!" both guards said, bowing. "Our master is waiting in her dojo! Please, allow us to open the gates!"

The two lynxes walked to the opposite sides of the gates, opening the gate by turning a crank and holding it for the entourage. The chameleon woman stepped inside, hearing the sound of villagers training. As she passed by several merchants, she took note of the various open spaces with children, as old as Espio and as young as Shami, training with a sensei and following his every move. As the sensei yelled out a reminder for what to do should invaders come, his students all yelled in unison with each move they made.

"Tatakae! Tatakae! Tatakae!" they all yelled, right and left punch thrown and then a kick with each yell. She then looked to her right, noticing the finalization of the next Dojo that the lynx woman had talked to the other Brides about, that aki-ken Dojo that combined both akido and hand to hand combat that Conquering Storm created herself.

"Such power from these villagers…" she thought, reminding herself that compared to the knowledge of espionage from her village, or clairvoyancy from Kaku, the villagers of Hirunotsuka were the most physically strong in the entire Historic District, the fiercest fighters they had should these lands ever become invaded by the Outside World…

And yet, in spite of all this, Conquering Storm wanted to talk to her about Espio…

Soon reaching the lynx woman's Dojo, more guards stood by as they crossed their naginata over the entrance.

"What is your business with our master, Bride of the Conquering Storm-sama?!" they both said.

"I was personally invited on the behalf of Conquering Storm to discuss issues between the two of us," Constant Vigil said. "Please, I would like to enter."

"Very well, we were making sure that you weren't someone in disguise. A pleasure to be in your presence, Bride of the Constant Vigil-sama. We shall take you to our master's quarters ourselves."


After parting ways with her garrison, the lynx guards of the Raiju Clan's dojo slid open the doors in front of where they and Constant Vigil stood, walking inside as they got on one knee, holding their naginata's up and staring at the floor.

"Bride of the Conquering Storm-sama! We have brought you Bride of the Constant Vigil-sama as you requested!"

The chameleon woman walked forward, looking at the oh so familiar lynx woman in her usual purple kimono. Next to her, her husband, Raika, sat as he looked at the chameleon. All three of them bowed in unison.

"An honor to see you again, Constant Vigil," Bride of the Conquering Storm began.

"Likewise," the chameleon ruler replied. "It has been a bit since New Year's, hasn't it? It seems much has happened in Hirunotsuka since I've last arrived."

"Our way of life continues no matter what. Training hard, creating new development, what we must do to preserve our way of life that our ancestors have wanted."

"While I'm sure you and Raika would like to catch up over some tea… I do believe we have more pressing issues, Conquering Storm."

"As we do."

"Bride of the Conquering Storm-sama, shall we provide anything for Bride of the Constant Vigil-sama?" the guards asked.

"We plan to not take long. Please, take your leave. Likewise for you, Raika. I ask that you please leave these quarters so that myself and Constant Vigil may speak alone."

The woman's husband nodded. "Very well. If you excuse me."

The beige and black ears of the male lynx flopped as he stood up, walking out of the room as the two women watched. The guards slid open the doors for Raika as he stepped out, the two other lynx guards sliding the door shut behind them.

"Now…" Constant Vigil began. "I've been thinking about your letter since receiving it last night. I must say, I do not understand why my son has been on your mind, Conquering Storm. You still continue to believe that he must be some sort of rebel?"

"Not that. However, I must acknowledge that something is going on with your son that he is withholding from us. You seem to describe to me and the rest of the Brides that Espio-kun's studies are fine and that he still continues to not interact with the Outside World. But lately, my trust in him has been waning."

"How many times must I assure you? Are you too superstitious?"

"You know better than I that the Outside World has the power to beckon its people into whatever garbage it wants to throw. Even in spite of the protection by you and our priests, this is why I objected to Espio entering the Outside World. After all, you don't want your son to be a liar, do you?"

"Are you trying to imply that he is?"

Conquering Storm stared at the chameleon woman before turning away, walking towards the shrine towards the right side of the room. She stared at the closed doors of the shrine.

"While you've been ignoring Espio-kun's safety, myself and Bride of the Rich Nights have been trying to do our own tasks to make sure that he isn't lying to any of us."

Constant Vigil's face stayed unchanged as she looked at Conquering Storm, who now turned towards her. "I see. So both of you have been conspiring together against my son."

"Not conspiring, Constant Vigil. But trying to reach into the powers beyond, to see into his mind to make sure it has not been corrupted and tainted by filth."

"I understand that Rich Nights' power of clairvoyance is beyond anything we can understand, but I don't understand how using this power would prove anything. Wouldn't it be better if either of you had physical evidence?"

"Do you know what her crystal ball told us?" the lynx woman walked towards the chameleon woman, her beige jingasa flowing alongside her walk, her ears flopping as she moved closer. "It couldn't tell us anything. To think, Rich Nights is able to learn the truth from anyone within our lands. She can know what we're thinking, what our future holds, all of that. And yet… she couldn't see anything about Espio, twice! Do you know what she told me? She called it a rare case where the sea of fate has different plans than what's intended for him."

For the first time, Constant Vigil's face started to change, but she still stood firm. "What do you mean?

"Our plans are set for his future. And yet… the ball tells us that something else is going on that may prevent this from happening. What it is, neither of us could know. From our letters to one another, she is still trying to find an answer from the spirits beyond, but nothing can be found. Something is threatening Espio-kun's future, something you need to wake up to, Constant Vigil."

"From what my son has told me, nothing like that seems to be occurring. Couldn't it be that Rich Nights is wrong? I think you'd know better than to turn to clairvoyancy for an answer."

At this point, the Shinobi leader was now starting to get annoyed with how much the Raiju leader seemed unconvinced by her arguments.

"Constant Vigil, when are you going to wake up?! Your son is hiding something from us, and I think it's time he now starts providing us answers. And besides…"

Conquering Storm's face began to lower, the strand of hair above her face making her appearance more threatening.

"...I think that this is no longer about Espio-kun. Haven't you noticed that when he returned for New Year's, something… something about the aura of our lands changed?"

Constant Vigil looked oddly at the lynx, seemingly thinking about her statement for the first time.

"Now that you mention that…" she replied.

"If I were you, Constant Vigil… I would no longer be as calm as you have been about this. If I were you, I would not only start questioning Espio-kun and Valdez-san harder… but I would keep your eyes and ears open to anything out of the ordinary going on within Gojo. If something seems different than before, don't be a bystander. Question anyone without bias, even if it's your own family and clan. And if you find something… tell us. That way, we can root out whatever could corrupt our people. Our ancestors didn't leave us these lands and protect them against the Outside World only for it to become corrupted by the very same people who wish for us to give up what we've preserved for centuries."

"That, I am inclined to agree, but from my guards and my personal examination of my people and my clan, I see nothing out of the ordinary. Besides, I know my people well, I know they have no reason to disobey the word of the Shinobi Clan."

"You put too much blind trust into others, Constant Vigil. As a master of espionage, you must know what your enemy is thinking next, even if your enemy is your people. And if your enemy is your son, well… may the heavens let him find forgiveness before we make sure to bring him back to reality."

"If I must appease you, then I will ask him next time I write to him. However, if I find nothing from him-"

"What did I say? Keep your eyes and ears open, that way, if he HAS broken our sacred rule, we can make sure both he and the person he corrupted will be punished accordingly."

"I know you are not a mother, Conquering Storm. But compared to the Outside World, we've put emphasis on how we raise our children. We make sure they grow up disciplined and obedient, independent and without relying on others - that shows how weak they are. Espio is an adult, someone who knows better than to disobey my word as the one to take over Naga's duties until Shami can become the next Bride. He may be forced to interact with the Outside World, but if there is something my son has compared to the people of such a cursed land, it's self-control. He knows better than to look to us for guidance, which is why I have faith in him to not only not disobey us, but also to learn from this experience, to help him become effective when he joins us in discussion."

At this point, Constant Vigil stared directly into Conquering Storm's eyes, more fiery than ever before. "And he knows this more than anyone. He should know that if he can't stay in line, if he can't be a natural leader, if he's forgotten that his family and his land should come first before anything else, then he's sadly mistaken."


MEANWHILE

Vector stood in the bathroom of the B building after Physiology II, back against the sinks as he held his phone up to his ears. Normally, he would have been off to lunch right about now, but he had been neglecting a call since last night.

"Come on, pick up… I feel bad fer missin' ya," he said, tapping his fingers on the counter. Just then, the phone picked up.

"Vector?" the mother of the quarterback asked. "What's wrong, sweetie? You know I'm at work."

"Heeyyyyy, sorry 'bout that, Ma. I know ya called last night but I had such a busy night. Sorry fer gettin' ya and pops worried," the crocodile replied.

"Oh! No no, don't worry about it, Vector! I know that you have so much to deal with like those post game interviews and everything you've told me and your father about. Listen, I can call you back later, now really ISN'T the best time to be calling me-"

"I know I know, I just… I feel bad fer missin' yer call cause I know ya always do whenever I lose."

There was an 'aw' from his mother as she continued. "Vector… I know you're disappointed at losing, especially since you and your team did so well this season. But no matter what, you're still my number one player at the end of the day. Don't forget that."

Vector smiled. His mother always knew just how to cheer him up whenever he felt bad after losing a game and getting the eventual yelling at by Coach Augustus. However, it was especially pertinent since what happened last night between him and Monk still stung, despite the crocodile seeing the gorilla as dead in his eyes.

"Ma… stop it. Yer makin' me smile in the middle of the bathroom…"

" That's what I like to hear. And hey, this means you'll be less busy until the summer."

"More like until finals…"

"Which reminds me, focus on those, okay?"

"I will, I will! It ain't even February yet, ma! Can't I think about it 'till after Spring Break?"

"Vector."

"Fine, I'll be the smart quarterback ya want me to be…"

"That's my son. Now, I REALLY, REALLY need to get going. I'll talk later tonight so you can talk to your dad, okay?"

"Alright! See ya then!"

"Have a good rest of the day, and remember: no matter what, don't forget the effort you put into this season. I love you."

"Love ya too, ma."

With that, Vector's mother hung up as the crocodile put his phone back into the pocket of his letterman jacket. Finally glad that he made the call he had been neglecting, it really was weird to think that football season was officially over. No longer would he be heading to the field around 4ish, no longer would he have to do such strenuous workouts in the morning and midday (even if he still had offseason workouts), and no longer would there be a game to look forward to sometime during the month. But this meant he had more time to study, more time to do whatever he wanted, more time to be with Knuckles and Mighty, and more time to be with…

To be with Espio…

As the days rolled by, he wondered when the time was going to come when he would eventually crack and tell Espio the truth. It was starting to get harder and harder, and normally he would use going to practice or training as an excuse to avoid doing such a thing. But now that he was likely going to be around the chameleon much more now that football season was over…

"Ugh, stop it," Vector told himself. "Dun worry 'bout that. Ya can still be friends with Espio until then. Wait until it happens naturally."

He stared at his reflection in the mirror, his amber eyes staring back as the sound of Monk's voice entered his brain.

"...bisexual beta… whorehouse for degenerates…!"

He felt chills up his spine, shaking as his scales felt cold.

"Yer really not gonna let a dickhead like that get under yer skin, are ya, Vector?" he said. "Hell naw. At least I gotta healthy relationship with mah fri-"

"Dude, are you just gonna talk to yourself like a loser?" someone from within a stall asked. Vector shut his mouth, becoming red in the face as he sidled out of the bathroom out of embarrassment. Shutting the door behind him, he looked at the time on his phone.

"I still got time, I think Espio's back at the dorm like he usually is, so I'll get him so we can grab lunch. Least, I hope he is…"

Vector would soon learn the answer when he returned to West Hall, scanned his ID to the lock of the dorm, and opened the door after the familiar BEEP sound. As he walked in, he saw Espio standing in the middle of the room, shirtless and sweaty as he had his scarred back against the crocodile. Setsu: The Ninja Cowboy blared on in the background as the chameleon held what appeared to be the bow that Bow gifted him for Christmas.

"Nameru na yo!" he said in his native tongue, surrounded by his various textbooks standing vertically on the nightstand, on the minifridge, and on the desk. "Tsukamaeta ka dou ka wa shiranu! Onushi ni waga no inochi wo ubawa senu yo! Eikya no hanayome no musuko katsu Shinobi-zoku no ichiin to shite, kutabatte shimau koro made tatakai tsudzukeru tsumori zo! Saa, kakatte koi!"

Espio jumped into the air, pretending he was unsheathing a sword as he moved with graceful elegance. Landing while barely making a noise, he raised the bow above his head and then swung it at the Advanced English Literature textbook on the minifridge, repeating both a couple of times before taking his hand and sliding it horizontally against the bow. After another move, he took a step back and swung it again, this time at the textbook on the nightstand. Before he could continue his practice, he turned around.

"V-Vector!"

The chameleon's eyes widened as he gasped, his face full of fear as he dropped his bow and scrambled to the TV, turning down the volume in rapid succession. From how much pinker his scales were becoming, it was clear to the crocodile that Espio was embarrassed. However, Vector could only smile.

"I ain't interruptin' anythin' important, am I?" he asked.

Espio wiped the sweat off his body with a towel from the shared showers on the bottom floor of West Hall. He still looked uncomfortable at what just occurred.

"N-No… no no I was tu-tray… trrraining. I like to ch… trrrain with Setsu. I pu-practice with case," Espio proceeded to point at the dulcimer case which sat on the ground.

"Didja lift that?"

"Yes."

Vector was surprised. "Wow, couldda fooled me. Instinctive ninja trainin', huh? Well, just make sure ya dun ruin that bow. Ya know yer friend gave it as a gift and I'm not sure how he'd feel about it bein' used as… what, a sword?"

"I know…"

Vector grinned, goodness even when he was embarrassed, the chameleon was adorable. "Well, I'm sure yer busy watchin' yer show, didja wanna get lunch together as we usually do? Now that football season is done fer, that means we can hang out more! Wanna celebrate?"

"Selebu-brate?"

"Yeah! We can find something fun to do tonight! I can see if Knux and Mighty are down. Well, Mighty probably not 'cause Wrestlin' season is still underway, but Knux def would join!"

"Ah… okay. But Alan is coming."

"Right, dulcimer practice. Well, after yer done, we can do what I got planned! Besides, I dun mind watchin'! Now, didja eat lunch yet?"

"No…"

"Well, let's get dressed and head out, I know ya got yer next class soon."

Espio nodded as he walked over to the TV, shutting it off before walking over to the chair where his kimono and haori sat over the chair neatly. He grabbed the kimono first as he began to put it on.

"Say, how was yer ESOL lesson today?" Vector asked, trying to pass the time while trying to instinctively avoid looking at the handsome chameleon change.

"It was good. We la-learn about… eh… lo… lokay-shhions."

"Locations?"

"Yes! We read about them and say what they are."

"Sounds pretty cool! Geography is kinda fun I won't lie, always was kickass at it back in High School. I remember a lot of the guys on mah team would come up to me and ask fer mah notes since a lot of them had the same classes as me and in return, I'd have them buy me stuff from the canteen. Gawsh, miss those days, man."

"I also tell Professor Longclaw about Setsu. She says it is very gu-good that I learn English from TV."

"I heard 'bout that, 'bout people from outside places in the United Federations learnin' English from our shows and movies. I think that's pretty cool if ya ask me."

Just then, he saw Espio walk up towards him now fully dressed.

"Okay, I am ready," he said.

"Great! Got yer meal card?"

Espio reached into his haori and pulled out said card.

"Alright, let's go. I'm dyin' to have another pizza, I've been neglectin' mah one true love ever since December."

As he opened the door for Espio, who stopped to put on his geta, he couldn't help but think about the comment he just said. Pizza was a love in his life, of course, but to call it the ONE true love felt wrong as the one he felt true love towards was just standing feet away from him, walking out of the dorm.

"I have really got to just spill the beans with this dude," Vector said. "I've done it with girls all the time, why is THIS time so different?"

It felt like there was an impassable wall between the two, one that the crocodile couldn't figure out how to crumble. In fact, as the crocodile and chameleon made their way out of West Hall, Vector couldn't help but look down at Espio.

"How is it that even when yer just doin' somethin' like walkin' with me, mah heart just thumps hard?" he thought to himself. He could feel his hand brush against Espio's, something about the thought causing his heart to go from jumping to skipping a beat.

"Oh man… I didn't realize how close he was. Could I?... Should I?..."

The thoughts of taking the chance to hold his hand and claim it was an 'accident' filled his head. But he knew that if he didn't like being touched by other people, then Espio wouldn't either, even if the two were inseparable. He thought back to what Rouge said at that moment.

"Take things nice and slow… Learn his boundaries… Open his mind to new things…"

"Hey, Espio…" Vector said, dipping his feet into being brave when it came to his feelings. "Are ya too cold? The weather said today ain't too bad, b-but… I was wonderin'..."

Espio stopped, turning to look at the crocodile.

"Didja wanna…"

Vector looked down at Espio. He knew what to say, but…

"...oh, never mind. It ain't important."

"Vector?" Espio asked, turning his head.

"I promise, it ain't that big of a deal! C'mon, I'm sure yer starvin', right?"

Vector walked forward to lead the way, but as he did, his face changed due to Espio being unable to see him.

"Fer FUCKS sake, Vector! Why do ya just keep trippin' on yer laces everytime ya try to even bring UP somethin' small! Ya already slept with this dude ONCE, what is stoppin' ya from goin' further?!" he angrily thought to himself. Looks like today would be another failure when it came to making his feelings clear, and the quarterback felt that the amount of days where that result would happen would only grow…


THE NEXT DAY

"...so remember, your next exam is on Monday!" Professor Starline said as his Psychology I class ended for that day. "After that, we'll begin Unit 10, which is on the introduction to social psychology! If you need me to send your exam to the assessment center, let me know, but besides that, I left you a class discussion assignment on Capsule which will need to be submitted by the end of the day Sunday. Other than that, you all are free to go."

The platypus adjusted his glasses as the Psychology I students got out of their chairs and began to head out of the classroom. Espio closed his laptop and placed it into his bag as Valdez zipped it up for him.

"I need to head back to my office for something for a meeting later, Espio-kun," he said. "Did you want to come with me? We can have lunch together, or… did you want to have it with Vector?"

Espio stopped. It was weird how much Valdez not only accepted his feelings for Vector, but he almost seemed to… encourage the chameleon to go for it. He never expected the blue chameleon to be such a way, especially since it seemed like Valdez never would be the type to settle down.

"Ah, no, it's fine, Valdez-san. We haven't eaten together in some time. I don't mind eating with someone that isn't Vector," Espio replied as he got up from his chair.

"Are you sure? I know you said that you and Vector had a fun time yesterday."

The blue chameleon had a point. Now that Vector no longer had football practice, he was at the dorm for the rest of the evening. Not only did the two, alongside Knuckles, order Chun-Nan Express again and eat at the echidna's dorm while Mighty was off at practice, but Vector even stayed behind to watch him and Alan during dulcimer practice. He expected the crocodile to watch for a little bit before going on his phone out of boredom, but instead, Vector watched the entire practice session from start to end and even encouraged Espio the entire time.

Seeing Vector not only be like that, but enjoy his time more now that he was no longer tied to football… It brought joy to Espio's heart to get the chance to be closer with the crocodile. Yet, there was still that interesting moment yesterday, the one where Vector wanted to ask something but couldn't. What was it that he was wanting to ask?

"Espio-kun, aren't you going?" Valdez asked. Espio shook his head and blinked.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hold you up."

Valdez walked forward as the two chameleons walked past Professor Starline's desk. But as they walked past the promethean board…

"Ah, Espio, Valdez, before you two leave," the platypus said. "I was wanting to talk to you about something."

"Us?" Valdez asked as they turned around.

"Actually, just Espio. It's more about him."

"Well, okay…" Valdez tapped Espio's shoulder. "Professor Starline wants to talk to you. I'll wait for you outside the classroom."

Espio nodded as he walked up to the platypus' desk, Valdez turning the other way as the two watched the classroom empty.

"So," Professor Starline began, adjusting his bow. "How are you feeling, Espio?"

"Feeling?"

"You got back your grades from our first Dream Journal presentation. I'm sure you're probably not too satisfied with your grade."

Espio frowned, remembering how he checked Capsule before class began to see that he got a 70 on his first presentation. He nodded.

"Well, part of the project is also based on presentation, and well… you DID run out of the classroom. Plus, I had to have Mr. Valdez translate the entire thing for me on our break."

"Translate?" Espio gulped, realizing that now his professor learned about his feelings for Vector.

"I must say, in terms of how long I've been doing this project in all my classes, very few people have written in detail like you have about others. But while many of them are quite aware of how they feel, for you I understand things must be very different. Tell me, Espio… are you the type of person that feels… hm… how can I best explain it to you… strange, when you think about Mr. Vector?"

"Shh… trrange?"

"Something about your body changes when you think, talk about him, even just be around him. You feel warm, you feel butterflies in your stomach, and your mind fills with thoughts you wouldn't think about otherwise. Do you feel that?"

Espio was confused where the psychology professor was going with this, and it became clear to Starline that Espio didn't understand.

"I see, you don't seem to be very clear on what I'm trying to say. I'm surprised, I thought your family would have at least given you this talk. Well, if you feel like this, I want you to know that we have various resources at the on-campus hospital in reagrds to sexual health, wellbeing, and general information. I think you may want to consider booking an appointment to have a professional explain it to you so that you also don't do anything rash, but also figure out more about yourself and how you feel about Mr. Vector. I think you definitely will appreciate the knowledge. Plus, if you haven't, I would recommend you visit the LGBTQ League on their meeting times."

Espio still didn't get where Professor Starline was going with this, but he slowly nodded, especially when he heard the LGBTQ League. "Oh okay… Thank you."

He bowed as Starline got up. "Well, I have to get ready for my next class. Don't keep Valdez waiting, you hear?"

With that, the two walked out of the classroom as Espio joined up with Valdez.

"What did Starline talk to you about?" the blue chameleon asked as they walked out of the hallway.

"He talked to me about my Dream Journal grade. And said something about… eh… he said it in English. Hou…. hoss… pital?"

"The hospital? Did he say the one on campus?"

"Hospital? What is that?"

"Do you know the word your mother uses for Yuen-Li-sensei?"

"Goten'i?"

"A hospital is a massive building for patients. Unlike Yuen-Li-sensei's clinic, hospitals are run by hundreds of people and take care of many people day and night. I wonder why he wanted you to go to the hospital though? I'll ask him about that after our meeting tonight."

Espio and Valdez continued to make their way out of the A building and towards the B building, the blue chameleon opening the door for Espio as he walked inside. As the two continued to make their way towards Valdez's office, Espio stopped when he noticed a familiar person standing by the staircase to the second floor, tapping his dirty boots on the floor.

"Ah! Munch!" he said, walking up to his rodent friend. The rat turned towards the chameleon, his whiskers bouncing as his stoic face turned into that of a grin.

"Oi, if it ain't ya, Espio!" he said in his usual heavy accent. "It's been a bit o' time, innit?"

Munch brought in Espio for a strong bear hug, the chameleon's eyes widening as his face grew into that of a wince as Valdez walked towards the two.

"I'm glad to see you're doing okay, Munch. How are you today?" Valdez asked.

"Oh, just lovely, Mr. Valdez!" he replied as he let Espio down, the chameleon's geta clacking as he did so. "I'm just waitin' on Thorn to get out of class, but I think she said she's takin' an exam. Thankfully fer me, mah classes are all but cancelled today! Sure enjoy the peace and quiet fer a change, I do!"

"The agriculture department always has these issues when it comes around winter time. I should probably also tell you now, you and the rest of the foreign exchange program students have another meeting with me in a couple of weeks. We're going to discuss an activity I'm going to have you all do."

"Sounds like a lotta fun! I'm in fer whatever it is!" the rat crossed his arms, Espio noticing lettering on the sweater the rat wore. ' M…BIUS UNI..ERSIT… WRESTLING' it read. "Were you two off somewhere?"

"I was about to head to my office with Espio here and grab lunch with him. Have you ate?"

"Not yet. I oughta though, we've been very busy with wrestlin' over the past couple'a weeks. It ain't anythin' like when I wrestled in uni in Snottingham, that's fer sure. If Espio ain't eat lunch, I dun mind if he tags along! O'ive been missin' me friend here!"

Valdez looked towards Espio. "If you want to go with Munch, I don't mind, Espio-kun. He is your friend after all."

The chameleon recalled how Mighty mentioned that Munch felt a little left out being with him since he had been hanging out with his other friends. Plus, this was just going to be for a little bit, and he already felt bad turning down Mark's request to join for a DotC session with him and the others because he had to go to community service tonight. As such…

"I will go," Espio said, holding his bag's straps. Munch smiled.

"Alroight! I'll take things from here, Mr. Valdez!"

"Okay then, you boys enjoy your day. And Espio-kun, I'll get you later tonight so you can head over to community service."

"Understood."

Espio and Munch watched Valdez walk away as the rat turned towards Espio.

"Feels great to finally have the time to be together, mate!" he said. "Oi, I know yer hungry, but I'm actually cravin' a nice warm drink. Why don't I treat'ya to some coffee, mate? Normally I go fer tea on a day like this… but bein' in this country introduced me to how lovely coffee can be!"

Espio wasn't sure what coffee was, but he was just glad to spend more time with his friend. As such, he nodded.

"Alroight, let's go!"


After leaving the student store in the K building some time later and sitting by the large garden behind North Hall, Espio blew into his cup of coffee as he'd just burned his tongue on just seconds prior. Munch looked over at the chameleon, his green bycocket somewhat crooked as he held his cup of joe, his pink tail relaxed against the brick foundation.

"Easy to forget 'bout warm drinks, eh?" he asked. "Trust me, it's a shame coffee's so expensive back home. M' family could never really afford anythin' like this. Heck, even this jumper is a prime example. I barely get new clothes, so gettin' this both here and in uni in Snottingham feels great. Bein' here I… I learn to not take things fer granted, y'hear?"

Espio looked at the rat. He noted how despite how clean looking the sweater was, the pants and boots he had on seemed quite old and tattered.

"What 'bout you, mate? I heard from Alan, Buck, and Thorn what yeh've been up to since I last saw ya," he continued. "Somethin' 'bout a trial and community service. What's 'oll that 'bout, mate?"

Munch took a drink as Espio stopped trying to cool his coffee, turning to the rat. "A-Ah… yes, I go to ch… trr… trial. And I go to community sa-service because of it," he said, a breeze of wind blowing into the clothes of the wrestler and the ninja.

"Must be bloody froightenin'. I couldn't imagine havin' some copper on m' tail wherever I go. Buck told me yeh scared half yer class with yer little leg thingy. What is it?"

Espio bounced as he grabbed his hakama, pulling it up and showing the ankle monitor to Munch. The rat crouched down, staring at it intently.

"What a thing, no? And Buck even said these things allow coppers to see where ya are at all times. Sure ain't anythin' like this in Avalon. Well, besides that, how else ya been? Alan's been sayin' yer dulcimer playin' has improved brilliantly and Thorn says that yeh and Vector 'ave been really close these days."

"Yes, Alan and I pu-play to… together," Espio pulled down his hakama as he took another quick sip from his coffee, which thankfully had cooled down just a little bit. As he had his first proper taste, he could feel the drink tasting… not as he expected it to. It was a mix of both sweet and bitter, something that definitely wasn't like the tea he drank all the time both in Gojo and here in Mobius U. In fact, he wasn't sure how to feel about it, based on the face he was making.

"Ha, I can tell yeh ain't used to coffee. Trust me, at first I was like the same. I thought, 'Why in the bloody hell do these Feds like such rubbish?'. But when I started gettin' tired durin' practice, I started drinkin' coffee with a splash o' milk and it was brilliant! It's just like how I like m' tea too," Munch said. "Is it good though?"

"I do not know…" Espio said, taking another sip and smacking his lips. Did he really like this or not?...

"Say, I wanted to ask yeh but… yeh seem like a got a lot on yer mind. After ya came back after yer trial, yeh seemed outta it. I asked Mr. Valdez but he didn't know either. 'Course, ya seem better now, but I don't wanna see yeh in pain, mate."

Espio looked at Munch and then back at his coffee. Sure enough, Munch was asking about everything in the past couple of weeks. In fact, now that Espio thought about it… though he initially objected to Bow and his friends learning about his feelings towards Vector at first, now that Mark, Valdez, Rotor, the entire LGBTQ League, and now Professor Starline knew, should he discuss it with more people? He rather would want to talk to Jewel about this, as she definitely would give him better advice than he thought Munch would give, but perhaps providing the rat some closure while also not flat out telling him yet was the key to go. Besides, it was just like the brochure from the LGBTQ League said,

'Telling others is a personal choice, a choice that's scary at first. It's not something you do once and get it over with, it's something you have to tell others constantly.'

He didn't want to tell Munch yet, but perhaps talking about feelings in general could help him get closer to allowing Vector to understand how he felt and to not shun his same gender love like he mainly feared.

"I am fine," Espio said before turning to the rat. "Eh… Ma-Munch."

The broad-shouldered rat, who was just about to put his muzzle on his mug, looked towards Espio. "Hm?"

"How…" Espio wasn't sure how to word this in English. "How do you feel about… the fi.. fiyu…"

He grit his teeth, trying to remember the word. It was mirai in Japanese, the word he taught Shami how to read in kanji. Just HOW did you say it in English?!

"The future?" Munch asked. Espio gasped.

"Yes!"

The rat raised a brow, said brow hiding from under his bycocket. "Well… I 'unno… there's so much 'bout it I can't really tell ya. Solaris only knows what things entail fer the future, not just fer me, not for Bow and the others, fer everyone," he said as he set his cup down, putting his hands together. "When I was younger, I asked m'self that a lot. Every day felt the same, wake up, go to school when I… er… actually never mind."

Espio turned his head, looking at the rodent oddly.

"Uh… where was I… yeah, come home and help mum and dad both in our family's flour mill and in the wheat fields until sundown. Then I'd have to help with carin' for me siblings in the evening's alongside mum, or even durin' the day when I still had stuff to do."

"You have a sister?" Espio asked. "I have a sister. Her name is Shami."

"D'yeh now? I'm sure she's a treat, I bet. As fer me, well… I got a few. Actually, five brothers and sisters meself. Even at an early age, we all had to help out with the mill so that we could sell our flour to Avalon's people. But as fer me, I… really didn't get to experience much outside of goin' to mass on Sundays, or gettin' the rare chance to play when things were slow around the mill and the fields. That's why uni was such a new experience fer me. It's why I wanna finish up school in spite of… issues."

"What do you mean?"

Munch looked forward, sighing as his ears fell down. "Well, there is one big thing I don't feel comfortable talkin' 'bout but… well, mum and dad are only gettin' older by the day. I know they're tryin' their best to leave the mill and the fields fer me and m' siblings, but… I want to at least make a good life for them. When I became a wrestler and got paid more than we've ever 'ad in our lives, I... I wanted mum and dad to enjoy bein' old together, fer me siblings to be able to not wreck their bodies like mum, dad, and even… even like I have, fer all of us to afford basic things like food and clothes, and fer them to be able to go to uni like I was able to, even if I ain't gonna be like those middle or upper class office or business wankers from Dresdin. That mattered to me more."

Espio looked at the rat. He thought about all the times his mother told him about how the Outside World didn't care about family relations like they did in the Historic District, and yet here Munch was, talking about what he wanted to do for his family. The rat was quite the responsible person, something he didn't realize until today.

"You are very strong, Munch," Espio said. The rat looked towards him and gave a soft smile.

"Heh, thanks, mate. Trust me, none o' this is at all easy. But… I've got me family, I got Bow and the others, I got me fellow wrestlers, I got me neighbors back home, and I got ya, mate. I'm strong enough to overcome this. Say, why did yeh ask me 'bout the future, mate?"

Espio looked down at his coffee, which had considerably cooled down by now. "I ask because…"

He knew what to say. Just talk about feelings, but don't say anything about Vector…

"Do you think about… la-love?"

"Love?" he asked. The rat put his finger on his snout, scratching it. "I… can't say it's somethin' I've thought 'bout much. 'Course, settlin' down with someone and continuing mill work and what I wanna do with me future sounds nice. I like to think we're all deservin' of love, somethin' that I always remember from when mum used to read parts of the Holy Book of Solaris at night to me fer a nighttime prayer. It always stuck by me whenever me siblings acted up or even when someone annoyed me and I got me knickers in a fury. Why d'yeh ask? Yeh in love with someone, mate?"

Espio gasped, turning his head away from the rat. He was just supposed to ask Munch about his general feelings about love to help him figure out how to break things to the crocodile, not SPECIFICALLY talk about his feelings towards Vector!

"A-Ah… I saw on…" his eyes went back and forth, trying to come up with an excuse. "On my shhow."

"A show, eh? They always getcha thinkin' 'bout new things. I remember when I was a kid, sneakin' off one night to eavesdrop on mum and dad listening to one of their radio shows they never let me hear, and then havin' nightmares 'bout killer cabbages. I freaked out whenever mum took me to the farmer's market fer weeks… but uh, that definitely is different than love. Havin' someone yeh can call a lover, bein' close to someone like that… it feels noice, I bet."

"Yes…" Espio looked down at his coffee again, staring at the ripples in it as he thought back to Vector at that moment.

"Yeh okay, mate? Seem kinda outta it right now," Munch asked. Espio blinked, the image of Vector in the coffee vanishing at that moment.

"Ah…! I am okay."

The rat looked strangely at Espio, but soon shook his head. "Y'know, it's been real great gettin' to catch up with yeh, Espio. We oughta talk more like this. Plus, I still gotta know when yer coming to our next wrestling match."

"Ah, Mighty said that you wo-want me to come."

"Of course I do, mate! Bow and the others have been comin' by fer me matches, and havin' them there provides me so much support. I'm sure yeh'd like to be there with Vector, no?"

Espio couldn't help but smile at that moment. To think that watching that wrestling match helped him realize what being gay was. In fact, there was no other person he'd want to be with aside from Vector.

"Yes. Yes, I do," he replied.

"Well, I'll talk to Mighty so he can talk to Vector. Sometimes, when I see yeh two, I get a little jealous that I haven't had such a strong friendship with someone. 'Course, I'm close with everyone in the Merry Five, but somethin' 'bout yeh and Vector is just so different, y'hear?"

If only he knew…

Just then, at that moment, Munch's stomach growled. The rat looked surprised at the sound as he and Espio looked at one another before the two softly chuckled.

"Oi, looks like me gut's sayin', ' Enough of all this serious rubbish, I'm hungry!' Fer real, let's get somethin' to eat. Mr. Valdez said ya ain't eat lunch either, so let's get somethin' together! Kinda wonderin' what I want to eat…"

Just then, Munch climbed down the siding of the garden as his sweater flopped, his tail slinking down. Espio followed suit, still holding his now cold cup of coffee.

"Oh, didya enjoy yer coffee, mate? Was it yer first time drinking it?"

Espio nodded.

"And?"

"It was… di… different."

"I felt the same way, but as ya have it more, yeh get used to it. Now come on, let's enjoy a nice bite! Might not be pie and mash, but at least this place has the mash part!"

"Okay. And… thank you."

Munch smiled. "Chuffed ta' hear, mate."

Espio smiled softly as he followed behind Munch. While he still was holding off on telling him and the others in his friend group, perhaps this talk with him was just what he needed to figure out what to do next with Vector. Hearing Munch talk about how nice it must have been to experience love, though, made Espio realize…

"I want that. I want that… with Vector…" he thought to himself, smiling behind the rat.


LATER THAT EVENING…

After his lunch with Munch, practicing a bit of English with Vector and getting in a chapter of Megami Ibunroku Persona, as well as going through another dulcimer practice session with Alan as the crocodile watched, it was now time for Espio to head on over to community service for the evening. Though he wasn't looking forward to being away from the crocodile for another large amount of time, there was ONE thing he was looking forward to: seeing Smithy again after a week.

Though Munch may not have been the person to talk to about his feelings for Vector, something about the large prisoner and his caring attitude gave Espio a deep sense of trust in the lion, and there was no one he could tell either, which gave him an added bonus.

"Why are you smiling?" Officer Wachowski asked from the driver seat of his police unit, the chameleon's attention being taken away from his thoughts and to the Overlander officer. He turned to face the officer, a brow raised and a look of suspicion on his face.

"Normally, kids like you act angsty and annoyed that you're doing more community service," he said. "And yet it's like I'm taking my non-existent child to preschool. I swear, you confuse me more and more by the day, Espio."

Now that the chameleon thought about it, this WAS the first time Officer Wachowski called him by name, but perhaps it was to no surprise. He had dealt with the chameleon so many times this semester, everything from his name to how he looked was probably burned into his brain.

He didn't want the officer to know about Smithy either, out of fear that he would get the officers from Prison Island to separate the two, and he enjoyed having the lion's company. He was, weirdly enough, almost like a father figure in a way…

"Nothing…" Espio replied, looking back at his flashing ankle monitor.

"I got a good word in from the Prison Island officers about you last week. I'm hoping you keep this up this week too. You seem to understand the job assigned to you. Plus, don't forget, I have to tell the Central City District Court about your behavior and how you've been doing. So don't start getting complacent, you hear?"

"Yes…"

He wasn't sure why Officer Wachowski still viewed him with suspicion at this point anymore. If he didn't act out the first time after his arrest, or any other time really, why was he convinced that Espio was going to take out a kunai he didn't have and force the Overlander to the side of the road by holding it up to him? Espio didn't understand the thought process of whatever these police officers were… It surely was nothing like how it was in Gojo.

After a several minute car ride of silence, the two arrived to the familiar Central City Soup Kitchen, where after getting out of the unit and signing Espio in and filling out his timesheet, the chameleon got on the same uniform he had worn last weekend and looked around, wondering if he was going to have to serve food like he had been-

"Oh hey, it's you, boy!"

Espio looked up to see Smithy, looking as rugged as usual and with the same tattoos on his arms and clothing he wore the last time the two met. The maroon lion held a large container filled with some sort of curved shaped object that Espio didn't quite recognize.

"How are you, Su-Smithy?" the chameleon asked.

"Hell of a week, that's for sure," the lion shook his mane. "Dunno if you heard, but someone tried to break out this Tuesday. I always shake my head at those people who try to do so. Maybe you'll get away with it in a normal prison, but on Prison Island? Hell no, the entire group of pigs will be on your ass faster than a bullet through the brain. Other than that, things have been the same as they've always been for years. I won't deny though, I have been looking forward to tonight. Seeing you again well, it shows me that the kiddies like you are gonna be alright, and that you won't fuck up your life like I hope people don't. Plus, our talk last time was enjoyable. When we get let out, some of the guys joke that you're now my new son, and while they know… that joke gets under my skin, I like to think of you under my wing while you're here with the big bad criminals."

Sure enough, Smithy was back to being as verbose as he always was. But Espio could only smile, it was this that he missed after a week.

"Anyway, kid, the guards here wanted me to show you how to actually prepare the meals here," Smithy continued. "No, not serve them, actually cook them. You ever cooked before?"

"Cu-Cook?"

"Come on, you've had to have cooked SOMETHING in your life. Even if it's something like a pot of soup."

But Espio could only frown. Aside from the one time he helped Valdez prepare rice for Thanksgiving lunch, it was the nanny who did all the cooking for the Shinobi Clan. He shook his head as Smithy looked perplexed.

"Really now? Nothin'. Well… guess even you kids have trouble with SOME things. Alright, follow me to the kitchen, I'll show you."

Smithy turned around towards the kitchen as Espio followed behind, his geta clacking as multiple mobian and Overlander prisoners walked past the chameleon, all of them holding objects from pots to even knives under the strict supervision of a guard. Smithy brought the chameleon to that same object found in the student's area of West Hall… what did Vector call it again?...

"Judging from everything you told me about last week," Smithy began. "I'm gonna take a wild guess and say you've never seen one of these before."

He proceeded to set down what he held in his hands on the counter as Espio looked at the device. The chameleon RECOGNIZED it, but as for what it was called…

"I do not know," he said. Smithy put his hand on the chameleon's small shoulder.

"Well, my little chameleon friend, this is a stove. It's how we cook things."

He looked at the device oddly. This… was how food was cooked in the Outside World? Not in an irori, or even on a kamado…

"Currently, right now this thing is on. See? It's at seven," Smithy pointed at the knob at the front of the 'stove'. "Now, right now we're gonna be making macaroni for the people out there, and we gotta work fast since we're almost running out. Now, when the guards have you coming in here, you want to first look at what we're making for the day. We'll focus on the other meals later, but for now, let's focus on this first. Erm… you ARE able to see what's going on, right?"

Espio wasn't sure why Smithy asked, but his answer became clear when Smithy opened a cabinet by the stove and brought out a large pot. Espio's eyes widened as he looked at the size of the pot.

"Doesn't seem like it… Tell you what, I'm gonna fill this with water. In the meantime, try and find something you can stand on so you can get a good look," Smithy said as he grabbed the pot and walked over to a sink. Espio looked around for something he could use to get a better look, cursing that he had been so short compared to the other men in the room…

Thankfully, he was able to find a stepladder by the door and grabbed it, bringing it over and setting it to the side as he waited for Smithy to finish filling the pot with water. A minute later, the maroon lion came back, holding the pot with both hands as he placed it onto a part of the stove.

"Alright, now that we got this, it's time we get this boiling," he continued. "We'll also need to add some olive oil to this, and usually for a pot this big, because there's so much, you need about four tablespoons. While I get that, why don't you turn on the stove?"

Smithy grabbed the knob and twisted it softly, showing Espio. "Just press down on this, and turn it to the seven. See the seven there? Do it on this one, the one not turned on."

Espio followed suit as he did what Smithy instructed him to, pressing down on the button and slowly turning it as a triangle on the stove landed on the seven. He waited for Smithy to get back, wondering what to do next.

"Got it?" the lion asked seconds later, twisting a cap off a bottle filled with yellow liquid. He grabbed a spoon and began to pour out the liquid onto the spoon, doing so four times before adding something small and white to the pot. Then, Smithy turned towards Espio.

"Now here's where you come in, kid!" he said, stepping aside as he held out a large spoon to the chameleon. "You're going to be the one stirring. Remember, don't let a SINGLE macaroni noodle sit there. It'll not only stick to the pot, but it'll likely get burnt, and we aren't serving burnt, shit food to those people. It takes a lot of muscle power, but you seem strong, boy. So go on, let me just open up the step ladder for you…"

Smithy did just as he said as Espio looked at the device, putting his right foot on the ladder and then his left as he now stood taller. He looked at the spoon he held in his hands as Smithy pointed to the chameleon's haori.

"Oh, and I'd recommend you roll those up. Don't want to catch fire or get wet."

Espio nodded as he rolled up his haori, his scarred arms visible for anyone to see. He then looked at the spoon again, wondering what next.

"Let's wait until the water catches to a boil. When it does, I'll put the noodles in. After that, just put the spoon in the pot, and stir. Move it around," Smithy moved his finger in a circular motion. Espio looked at the spoon, thinking that he must have been making something similar to udon or soba, something that was going to cook in boiled water. Of course, it was always the nanny who cooked this but… he did have experience watching the komodo dragon.

As they waited for the water to catch to a boil, Espio decided to use this time to talk to Smithy.

"Smithy?" he asked. The lion looked towards him.

"Yeah, what is it, kid?"

"Eh…"

Espio knew that now was the perfect time to talk about his feelings towards Vector with him since there was little to do. Part of him wanted to bite his tongue back and not say anything, but… he already did say Smithy's name. He didn't want to disappoint him…

"I… I want to talk to you," he continued. "I am having a… pu-problem."

"A problem? A problem with what?"

As a bubble began to form in the pot of water, Espio took a deep breath as he sighed, knowing there was no going back. Calm, cool, collected… all he needed to do was to remember that, and he knew telling Smithy was going to be okay.

"It is my friend. I… I la… love him…"


MEANWHILE…

"So tell us about the new movie, Tommy," the sounds of The Comedy Chimp Show blared out from the TV back at the dorm. "Now I understand it to be the long awaited sequel to Mutant Commando 3, why did it take you almost eight years to produce the movie?"

From across the TV, Vector lay across the bed on his back, his phone plugged into the wall as the crocodile mindlessly browsed social media. He had been dreading logging in since he knew choice words were said about the Badniks' loss two nights ago. But aside from the usual hate comments and messages from anonymous people who had way too much time on their hands, most of the fury had died down at this point.

As Vector sighed, his thumb moved up as he went to like a funny meme. It had been a boring last couple of hours, with the crocodile not realizing just how much football had taken his time. Now that it was over, well… what else was there to do? Sure, he had done an hour of off-season workouts in the I building but aside from that, it wasn't Sunday tomorrow, so it wasn't like he could take a break. Plus, Espio was still out at community service, and wouldn't be back until much later.

"I dunno what I'm lollygaggin' at anymore," he thought to himself. "Yeh've talked to two girls 'bout this, they told ya what to do, and ya can't even do it. Ya almost had it, all ya needed to do was ask, 'Hey, wanna hold hands to the K buildin'?' That's ALL ya needed to do! But ya blew it. I'm sure plenty of dudes do that with their friends… right?"

At this point, he wasn't sure if what Monk said or did to him was affecting him in a way that he was trying to bury. He had nothing to be ashamed about, it wasn't like he denied how he felt towards the chameleon, but it was like he was in so much love at this point, he couldn't even GET his feelings out.

"Maybe I oughta write this instead…" Vector asked himself. "Sure, maybe I feel weird tellin' him, but I've always been a good writer. Yeah… I could even practice just now."

Vector brought his torso up as he exited out of Scrambler, going over to his notes app on his phone. After scrolling past the multiple workout routines and dietary plans he made, the quarterback made a new sheet as he put his finger on his chin.

"Alrighty, now where to start…" Vector said. His tail thumped against the bed frame as he wondered how to begin his love confession to the chameleon. "Should I make this a poem?... nah, sounds too sappy. It ain't like me. Maybe just a general letter, like… like I'm writin' to a friend? Hm…"

Vector decided to go with the second option, seeing how things would go from there. He began to type, beginning his letter with, "To my friend, Espio,"

The crocodile frowned at this. "Sounds too formal… ugh, why is confessin' to someone NOW so hard?! Y'know what, fuck it, fuck it. Just start with whatever's on yer mind, Vec. And go from there."

Starting over from a clean state, Vector instead decided to write whatever came to mind. Not thinking about it or hesitating, the crocodile's fingers tapped quickly as his phone vibrated with each tap.

"When I say that my life has been changed by you, I mean it for the better, Espio. On your first day here, I thought you were someone that stepped out of a history book into the real world. I didn't even think you were real at first, especially since you couldn't understand me in just about every aspect. And yet, you managed to do so quickly. Thanks to me, you learned how to read, write, and speak English, as well as learn about new things about life that you didn't know. Unbeknownst to you, however, you changed my life in ways you didn't know about…"

Vector read back the paragraph to himself.

"Hmm… ain't Awardy Award quality… but I dun wanna confuse Espio either," he said. "Now… where to go next… what could I start with next? Oh, I know!"

Vector continued. "Not only have you shown me different ways of life, but you showed me what it means to be loyal to a person no matter what. You showed me-"

"Ugh, this sounds more like a thank yeh card than a confession! No no…"

Just as Vector began to backspace his second paragraph, his phone went off with a 'DING!'. The crocodile's face changed as he noticed a message from the Badniks' group chat.

"The group chat?" Vector asked himself as he clicked the message. Opening up his messages app, it was from Knuckles. There was a picture and a very brief message. The picture, despite its poor quality, seemed to show a computer screen with an image of an echidna with one glass eye on one side, the title, 'FAR LEFTISM TAKES GRIP ON UNIVERSITY?' below the picture of the echidna and…

"Connery?!" the crocodile questioned, an image of the horse in what appeared to be a dress shirt next to the echidna. If Vector wasn't already confused before, he most certainly was now. Below the image, there was a brief message from Knuckles.

"guys, have u seen this? 7pm tonight on the brotherhood inquirer network."

Vector looked at the clock on his phone. It was 6:58 right now. He knew he shouldn't have been involved in anything Connery would have his slimy fingers on, but… what was he doing? The crocodile wouldn't lie, with everything weird going on with him since the last couple of weeks… Vector was determined to get an answer.

Crawling out of bed, Vector grabbed the TV remote on the desk, flipping channels until he found the Brotherhood Inquirer Network.

The first channel began to play. "-if you're in the need for a new car this weekend-!"

"Ugh, I ain't gonna even bother typing this thing in," Vector said. His thumb continued to press on the channel button as channel after channel flipped.

"...here we see a wild Wisp in its natural habitat-"

"...but what about our daughter, Fiona?! What about her?' 'I'm sorry… she… she too also has a terminal disease!'"

"-come on, kids! Stand up and sing with Next, the friendly purple-!"

"-carried by the tradewinds, Lucifer Alpha spreads throughout-"

"-xcuse me. Do you know any place where sailors hang out?-"

"-and welcome to Guide to Fashion Trends 42, with your host, Pudding!-"

After passing by the last station, Vector found himself on Station 44, the subtitle, BIN visible on the guide menu. The title of the show, 'THE KRAGOK TONIGHT SHOW' was visible as a CG graphic of said title appeared on the screen. Vector sat back and watched with anticipation, not sure what to expect as he sat his phone next to him. Immediately, the screen flashed white as the camera zoomed in on an echidna with a slightly darker red complexion than Knuckles, what was very clearly a glass eye replacing his left eye as he stared into the camera.

"Good evening, and welcome to The Kragok Tonight Show, with your host, Kragok Echidna!" the host said in what seemed to be an almost forced, happy tone. "Let's talk about a story I'm sure you're all familiar with. Colleges."

A graphic appeared next to the echidna. "The largest purveyors of communist pushers in the last two hundred years. What was once a place you could go to for higher education and meeting like minded people and sharing opinions has become a battleground for far left activists to muzzle society? No longer are people safe to send their children off to college out of fear of them turning into vegan, leftist hippies who want to call you every buzzword under the sun, even things you might not have heard of before!"

Vector rolled his eyes. He wasn't sure if Knuckles was trying to do, getting him to watch something stupid as some sort of joke by lying about Connery appearing on… WHATEVER this was, but he was seconds from reaching the remote and turning off the TV to continue writing his letter about Espio when the echidna continued.

"But in spite of everything you've heard about colleges, real change has come through the various conserative channels existing in college spaces. Among these is CCOCC, the Central City Organization of College Conservatives. With branches in every major college in the United Federation, this group has easily been the most vocal when it comes to pushing back against the authoritarian left who wants to spread virtues like equity under the fists of violence and extremism. And no other place is this happening than at the university that CCOCC is headquartered at; Mobius University. They're dealing with the major crisis of criminals running amok on campus, with the administration doing nothing about it. Is it hard to see why, when our information has told us that this is being committed by people not from Central Mobius? But Kragok, the left has told us that immigrants are hard working, virtuous people, you massive racist! But what if I told you there's more to the story than meets the eye, and what if I told you that one student, who is part of the CCOCC, is trying to spread the word of the chaos and disorder going on at this university? Joining us for tonight's taping of The Kragok Tonight Show, live from Mobius University is Mr. Connery Horse. Connery is a political science graduate, football player, student representative of the CCOCC branch of Mobius University, as well as the son of Rep. Craig Horse who wants you to know the truth about what's going on where he's studying. Connery, good evening."

And there on the screen, next to this Kragok, was Connery sitting in his dorm. Vector felt his eyes widen as he stared at the screen, dropping the remote on the floor. It was beyond surreal to see this happening in real time, knowing that he had been in this dorm several times last year. He watched with baited breath, wondering what Connery was going to talk about.

"Good evening to you, Kragok. It's an honor to be on here for the first time tonight," Connery said.

"Now Connery, how long have you been a part of CCOCC?" Kragok asked.

"Since I arrived at Mobius University two years ago. I first started off as a normal member before working my way up to becoming the student representative."

"That's good to hear. Connery, I understand that Mobius University is experiencing a crisis beyond anything we've ever seen. And while I've tackled the various issues going on in colleges like the ridiculousness of safe spaces and biological men in women's sports, you've told us behind the scenes that this is nothing like we've seen before?"

"That's right, Kragok. And this is something I feel anyone in the audience should be concerned about, especially if they have students in college, because we don't know how and when this will start happening to your child's college. But here at Mobius University, a student was released for an assault committed against five people in broad daylight in the middle of a parking lot months ago, and our justice system let him go. To me, that not only shows the failure of our elected officials putting such weak people in charge, but also goes to show that they rather care about crazed aliens ruining society. I've tried my best to spread awareness about this, but there's only so much I can take before I start facing censorship from officials who wish to cede my freedom."

"Now when you say censorship, what do you mean?"

"As the student representative of CCOCC, I believe that it's beyond pertinent that we warn others to not only stay away from the disaster that is Mobius U's administration, but also to warn them; 'If you come here, you'll be surrounded by criminals and leftist maniacs'. If you want a prime example of this, my football team has, unfortunately, taken the side of supporting said criminal all because they're all friends with each other. I however, have refused to take their side and continue to spread the word about this dangerous individual, all while we continue to receive complaints from the student body referring to us as-"

This was all Vector could take before he grabbed the remote and shut off the TV. The crocodile could already feel his blood starting to boil. It wasn't enough that Connery had to spread his shit on campus, but now on TV?! Nothing was ever going to convince the horse that Espio wasn't who he thought he was, and frankly, the crocodile just wanted to forget the last couple of minutes. As far as he was concerned, Connery could go shove it up his ass as well as his little organization.

…but… there was what he said.

"...my football team has, unfortunately, taken the side of supporting said criminal all because they're all friends with each other-"

"What the fuck is he doin'?" he asked himself. Just then, however, his phone began to ding. But it wasn't just once, or twice.

It was en masse.

Vector picked up his phone as his eyes widened. The entire Badniks group chat lit up with messages from everyone, but what they said was anything but positive.

Thrash

"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!"

Bull

"did you actually throw us under the fucking bus connery"

"answer our messages now"

Brawny

"what in the fuck are you gaining from this? are you serious dude?"

Knuckles

"dont get me involved in this shit, connery."

Rudy

"dude text me now. idc if ur on the air. do it."

This and many other messages of anger filled the entire chat as Vector rubbed his face, shaking his head.

"Connery… what didja do?" he asked himself. "I'm already havin' to deal with mah feelin's fer Espio, dun add to this pile now…"

But it was futile. It was starting to sink in to Vector that this is what Connery had been busy with all these practices ago. He tried to get up from the floor and focus on writing his confession letter, but every time he did, he heard Connery's voice coming from the TV.

"No, dun worry 'bout that. I'll get on his ass fer what he did to all of us tomorrow…" Vector said as his face lowered and he continued to type his letter.

Little did Vector know, a large ball hung above a chain of dominos, the thread holding said ball tearing microfibre by microfibre by the second as it was ready to collapse and start one big domino chain after another, not caring about everything the crocodile had going on in his life. Not caring that the one he loved was being smeared in real time, and that things… only started to look worse.


END OF CHAPTER 30